College of Lake County celebrates National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week

During National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, Sept. 26 through Oct. 1, the College of Lake County Adult Basic Education, ESL and GED division will be raising awareness about adult education and family literacy at informational events on all three CLC campuses.

In Lake County, about 76,022 people do not have a high school diploma. CLC has worked to reduce that figure by providing classes in adult basic education (literacy), English as a Second Language (ESL) and GED preparation (high school equivalency) since 1971.

There are 2,169 students enrolled in Fall Semester Adult Education (ABE/GED, Spanish GED, ESL) and computer Model Office classes. The majority of Adult Education students range in age from 25-44. The Adult Education program is comprised of 75 percent students who identify as Latinos/as, followed by 11 percent white, 6 percent black, 6 person Asian and 2 percent identifying as another ethnicity.

CLC will hold literacy information events from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. on the following dates:

Sept. 26 and 27: Grayslake Campus, 19351 W. Washington St.

Sept. 28: Lakeshore Campus, 33 N. Genesee St., Waukegan

Sept. 29: Southlake Campus, 1120 S. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills

More than 36 million American adults struggle to read, write, do math and use technology above a third grade level. According to Program for the International Assessment of Adult Literacy, nationwide, about 50 percent of the 2 million immigrants who come to the U.S. each year lack high school education and proficient English language skills. This severely limits their access to jobs, college and citizenship and increases their vulnerability to living in poverty. For more information, visit www.proliteracy.org.

For more information on CLC's adult education program, visit www.clcillinois.edu/adulted or call (847) 543-2021. Courses are offered at all three CLC campuses and at community locations across Lake County.